Sampler for holding slides and polymer scrims or pads

ABSTRACT

A sampler device for supporting glass slides and/or polymer scrims or pads under water for the collection of plant and animal samples. The device comprises a frame having a top member, a bottom member, and left and right side members. The top and bottom members have a plurality of vertically aligned slots therein for receiving and holding the edges of a plurality of glass slides. The top and bottom members also have generally horizontally extending grooves for mounting a scrim or pad thereon. A guard is pivotally mounted to the frame, and movable between a closed position, in which portions of the guard overlap the ends of the slots in the top and bottom members of the frame, thereby securing the slides in the frame, and an open position in which the guard does not overlap the ends of the slots so that slides can be inserted into and removed from the slots. In the closed position the guard also overlaps the grooves to secure the scrim or pad therein. A lock is provided to retain the guard in its closed position. A mounting bolt extends through the top and bottom of the frame. Eyes on the mounting bolts permit lines to be attached to the bolts for securing the sampler device under water.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.07/759,411, filed Sep. 13, 1991 and now U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,390.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to sample collectors, and in particularto a device for collecting animal and plant samples from water.

In most bodies of water such as rivers, streams, and lakes there is awide variety of microscopic plants and animals in the water. Inevaluating the health of a body of water, it is desirable to takesamples of these microscopic plants and animals. For example, inassessing whether a body of water has been infested with zebra mussels,Dreissena polymorpha, a biologist takes samples of the microscopiccommunity of the water to check for the presence of veligers andpost-veligers, immature stages of the zebra mussel approximately 60 to200 microns, whose presence indicates zebra mussel infestation. Apreferred method of taking samples of post-veligers is to suspend glassslides in the water for a sufficient time for the plants and animalspresent to adhere to the slides. One side of the slide can then becleaned, and the slide can be examined under a microscope to determinenot only the types of plants and animals present, but their relativepopulations. While this procedure seems straight forward, there aredifficulties in suspending the slides in the water. The slides should beheld in a generally upright position, the surfaces generally parallel tothe flow of water. The slides must be held securely and free fromobstructions that would interfere with the deposit of plants andanimals. Moreover, the slides must be secure whether the water is stillor flowing. It is also important to be able to support the slides atvarious depths in the water column.

Another preferred method of taking samples of post-veligers, as well asveligers, is to suspend a polymer scrim or pad of polymer fibers in thewater for a sufficient time for the plants and animals present tocollect on or in the scrim or pad. The scrim or pad can be washed toremove any animals and plants that have collected in and on the fibers,and plants and animals that are removed can be examined under amicroscope to determine not only the types of plants and animalscollected, but their relative populations. While this procedure seemsstraight forward, there are difficulties in suspending the scrim or padin the water. Like the slides, the scrim or pad should be held in agenerally upright position, however the scrim or pad should extendtransversely to the water flow, so that the water flows through thescrim or pad. The scrim or pad must be held securely and free fromobstructions that would interfere with the flow of water over andthrough the scrim or pad, and the deposit of plants and animals thereon.Moreover, the scrim or pad must be secure whether the water is still orflowing. It is also important to be able to support the scrims or padsat various depths in the water column.

Slides are primarily effective for post-veligers, and providequantitative data. A polymer scrim is effective for both veligers andpost-veligers, but primarily provides qualitative data.

Generally, the sampler devices available are designed for the collectionof periphyton. See, for example the sampler device shown in Doernberg etal., U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,421. These devices are submerged near thesurface of the water, and hold a plurality of vertically oriented slidesin a generally horizontal plane. These devices are not adapted for, andare generally unsuitable for, holding slides in the proper verticalorientation, parallel to the flow of the water, so that the water canflow unobstructed between the slides. Moreover, these device aregenerally too flimsy to support the slide at any appreciable depth belowthe surface, as is necessary for an accurate survey of certain plantsand animals such as the zebra mussel. The currently available samplerdevices tend to break apart and/or lose their slides under suchconditions. Moreover, installing and removing the slides from suchdevices is difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The sampler device of the first embodiment of the present invention isadapted to securely hold slides in the correct orientation and positionin a body of water. Generally, the sampler device comprises a framehaving a top member, a bottom member, and left and right side members.The top and bottom members each have a plurality of vertically alignedslots therein for receiving and holding the edges of a plurality ofstandard glass slides. A guard is pivotally mounted to the frame, andmovable between a closed position, in which portions of the guardoverlap the ends of the slots in the top and bottom members of theframe, thereby securing the slides in the frame, and an open position inwhich the guard does not overlap the ends of the slots so that slidescan be inserted into and removed from the slots. The sampler device alsoincludes means for releasably locking the guard in its closed position.A mounting bolt extends through the top and bottom members of the frame,and attaching means associated with the bolt, are positioned above andbelow the frame for attaching lines to the mounting bolt.

In the preferred embodiment, the guard member comprises left and rightside members, pivotally attached to the left and right sides of theframe, generally adjacent the top of the frame. Upper and lowertransverse members extend between the left and right side members, inposition to overlap the slots when the guard is in the closed position.

The sampler device of the second embodiment of the present invention isnot only adapted to securely hold slides in the correct orientation andposition in a body of water as the sampler device of the firstembodiment, but the device of the second embodiment is also adapted tosecurely hold a collection scrim or pad in the correct orientation andposition in a body of water. Generally, the sampler device of the secondembodiment comprises a frame having a top member, a bottom member, andleft and right side members. The top and bottom members each have aplurality of vertically aligned slots therein for receiving and holdingthe edges of a plurality of standard glass slides. A guard is pivotallymounted to the frame, and movable between a closed position, in whichportions of the guard overlap the ends of the slots in the top andbottom members of the frame, thereby securing the slides in the frame,and an open position in which the guard does not overlap the ends of theslots so that slides can be inserted into and removed from the slots.The frame and the guard are configured to sandwich a scrim or padbetween them. The sampler device also includes means for releasablylocking the guard in its closed position. A mounting bolt extendsthrough the top and bottom members of the frame, and attaching meansassociated with the bolt, are positioned above and below the frame forattaching lines to the mounting bolt.

In the preferred embodiment, the scrim or pad has ribs secured on theedges, and the frame has grooves therein for receiving the mounting ribson the scrim or pad to secure the scrim or pad in the device so that thepad cannot pull free from its engagement between the frame and the guardmember. The grooves preferably extend generally horizontally across theframe and the guard member comprises upper and lower transverse memberspositioned to overlap the grooves when the guard is in the closedposition.

Like the sampler device of the first embodiment, the sampler device ofthe second embodiment may include vanes extending from the frame to keepthe frame oriented generally perpendicular to the flow of water, therebyorienting the scrim or pad generally perpendicular to the flow. Abracket is preferably mounted between the sides of the frame, andextends generally rearwardly from the frame. Vanes are mounted on thebracket. Holes can be provided on the inside of the sides of the framesfor receiving the ends of the bracket. Bosses can be provided adjacentthese holes to engage the bracket and secure it against rotationrelative to the frame, or grooves can be provided to secure the bracket.

The sampler devices of this invention are preferably used as part of asampler assembly. The upper attachment means on the bolt is preferablyconnected to a float, and the lower attachment means on the bolt ispreferably connected to a weight, so that the sampler devices can besuspended in the water column at a pre-selected depth between the weightand the float, at a relatively constant level.

The sampler devices of this invention are of simple yet sturdyconstruction. They are extremely easy to operate, and are less prone toin-service failure. The forces of suspending the sampler devices areborne by the mounting bolts, rather than the frame, so these forces donot act to pull the frame apart. Thus, the risk of the loss of valuabledata and time is reduced. The devices are reusable, and require littleor no maintenance. The device of the second embodiment is adaptable foruse with slides for collecting quantitative data on post-veligers, andwith polymer scrims for collecting qualitative data on veligers andpost-veligers. These and other features and advantages will be in partapparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a first embodiment of a samplerassembly including a sampler device constructed according to theprinciples of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the sampler assemblyshown in FIG. 1, showing the top of the sampler device;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevation view of the sampler device of thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view of the sampler device of thefirst embodiment taken along the plane of line 4--4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view of the sampler device of thefirst embodiment taken along the plane of line 5--5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the sampler device of thefirst embodiment taken along line 6--6 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the sampler device of the firstembodiment showing the attachment between the bracket and the side ofthe frame;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of a second embodiment of a samplerdevice constructed according to the principles of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the sampler device of thesecond embodiment, taken along the plane of line 9--9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of a collection pad adapted for use withthe sampler device of the second embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a sample assembly including twosampler devices constructed according to the principles of thisinvention.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A first embodiment of a sampler device constructed according to theprinciples of this invention, indicated generally as 20, is shown inFIG. 1 as it would be used as part of a sampler assembly 22. The samplerdevice 20 comprises a frame 24. The frame 24 is a hollow rectanglehaving a top 26, a bottom 28, and left and right sides 30 and 32. Thereare a plurality of vertically aligned slots 34 in the top 26 and bottom28, extending rearwardly from the front face of the frame. The slots 34are generally parallel to the sides of the frame and are adapted forreceiving and holding the edges of a plurality of slides 36, so that theslides are held vertically, in planes generally perpendicular to theplane of the frame 24. The slots 34 do not extend all the way to theback of the frame so that slides 36 in the slots cannot slide out theback of the frame. The slots 34 are preferably spaced so that the slidesare equally spaced from each other. Thus the water flow between theslides is equal, and the chances for plant and animal deposition on eachside of the slide is approximately equal. The slides 36 are preferablystandard-sized glass slides, but they could be made from plastic orother suitable material. There are preferably numbers on the framecorresponding to the slots, so that positions of the slides in thesampler device can be conveniently referenced.

A guard 38 is pivotally mounted to the frame 24, and is movable betweena closed position and an open position. As shown in the Figures, theguard 38 comprises left and right side members 40 and 42, which arepivotally mounted to the left and right sides of the frame 24, generallyadjacent the top of the frame, for example with bolts 43. The guard 38also comprises upper and lower transverse members 44 and 46, whichextend between the left and right side members 40 and 42 of the guard.The upper transverse member 44 is positioned so that when the guard 38is in its closed position, the upper transverse member overlaps the endsof the slots in the top 26 of the frame 24. The lower transverse member46 is positioned so that when the guard 38 is in its closed position,the lower transverse member overlaps the ends of the slots in the bottom28 of the frame 24. Thus, when the guard is in its closed position, anyslides 36 in the slots 34 are held in place in the frame 24. The frame24 is open, and the upper and lower transverse members are spacedsufficiently so that unlike prior sampler devices water can flow freelythrough the sampler device. The guard 38 may also include a bottommember 48 extending between the side members 40 and 42.

The frame 24 and the guard 38 are preferably made from a strong, tough,durable plastic such as polyvinylchloride or polycarbonate, or someother suitable material. The frame 24 and the guard 38 can be assembledfrom a plurality of separate pieces secured, for example, with adhesive,but preferably the frame and the guard are each one molded piece.

The sampler device 20 includes means for releasably locking the guard 38in its closed position. This locking means can comprise a post 50projecting from the bottom of the frame 24, and extending through anopening 52 in the guard 38 (preferably in the lower transverse member46). Some means, such as a hitch pin 54 can be releasably secured overthe end of the post 50 to prevent the guard from being moved from itsclosed position. The post 50 preferably has a diametrical bore forallowing the hitch pin 54 to be secured to the end of the post. A chain55 can secure the pin 54 so that it cannot be lost.

A mounting bolt 56 extends through the top 26 and bottom 28 of the frame24. There is an attaching means at each end of the bolt, above and belowthe frame. As shown in the Figures, the attaching means preferablycomprises loops or eyes 58 and 60, respectively. The eyes 58 and 60 areconnected to the bolt 56, but not to the frame, so that loads on theeyes, for example in anchoring the sampler device 20, are nottransferred to the frame. The eye 58 can be formed integrally at one endof the bolt 56. The eye 60 is preferably threaded onto the other end ofthe bolt 56. The eyes 58 and 60 permit the frame to be suspended in thewater vertically, so that water can flow freely through the frame.

The eyes 58 and 60 preferably pivot with respect to the frame 24, sothat the frame can pivot freely in the water. Either the eyes 58 and 60can be made to pivot freely with respect to bolt 56, or the eyes 58 and60 and the bolt 56 can be made to pivot with respect to the frame 24.

The sampler device 20 preferably also includes a vane for keeping theframe of the sampler device oriented perpendicular to the currents inthe water. A three-sided wire bracket 62 extends rearwardly from theframe 24. As shown in FIG. 7, the ends 64 of the bracket 62 are adaptedto fit into openings 66 on the inside of the sides 30 and 32 of theframe. Bosses 68 adjacent the openings 66, engage the bracket 62, andprevent it from pivoting relative to the frame. The resilience of thebracket holds the ends between the sides. Alternatively, the ends of thebracket can be adapted to fit in openings on the outside of sides 30 and32 of the frame 24. Thus, when the guard 38 is closed over the frame,the guard holds the ends of the bracket in place, preventing the bracketfrom being dislodged. Grooves can be provided in the outside of sides 30and 32 to accommodate the bracket, and hold it generally horizontallywith respect to the frame.

Vanes 70 extend from the bracket at oblique angles with respect to theframe. The vanes 70 are positioned symmetrically with respect to theframe, so that vanes keep the frame oriented perpendicular to the watercurrents, thereby keeping the slides 36 in the frame parallel to thecurrents. Thus the bracket 62 can easily be attached to or removed fromthe frame 24, by simply compressing the bracket and inserting ends 64into openings 66, or pulling ends 64 from openings 66. The bracket 62 ispreferably sufficiently large so that the vanes 70 are spacedsufficiently from the frame that they do not interfere with the flow ofwater through the frame. As described above, the frame preferablyrotates freely with respect to the eyes 58 and 60, and thus can pivotfreely to the correct orientation as dictated by the vanes 70,independent of its mounting.

The sampler device 20 is adapted to be used as part of a samplerassembly 22. The sampler assembly 22 comprises at least one of thesampler devices 20, a float 72 and a weight 74. A line 76 connects theweight 74 and the eye 60 at the bottom of the frame 24. A line 78connects the float 72 and the eye 58 at the top of the frame 24. Thelines 76 and 78 can be attached to their respective eyes 58 and 60 witha rope, a carabinier, a safety snap, or, as shown in the Figures, with aloop in the line secured with a ferrule. Thus the sampler device 20 isheld in a relatively constant vertical position in the water column,between the weight and the float. The position of the sampler device isdetermined by the length of the lines. Of course, if desired, more thanone sampler 20 could be positioned in the water column. See FIG. 11. Inthis case a line would connect the weight to the eye 60 at the bottom ofthe frame of the lowermost sampler device 20, another line would connectthe float to the eye 58 of at the top of the uppermost sampler device20, and additional lines would connected the upper and lower eyes ofadjacent sampler devices 20 so that each is held at a relativelyconstant vertical position in the water column. The weight can berelatively large, so that the position of the devices relative to thebottom is fixed. The weight can also be relatively small so that theposition of the devices relative to the surface is fixed, whilepermitting the device to rise and fall with the surface of the water.

Alternatively, the sampler devices 20 could be deployed in some othermanner, for example it is possible to suspend one sampler device 20, ora series of sampler devices 20, from a stationary anchoring point suchas a railing.

A second embodiment of a sampler device constructed according to theprinciples of this invention, indicated generally as 100 in FIGS. 8 and9. The sampler device 100 is similar in construction to sampler 20 ofthe first embodiment, and corresponding parts are identified withcorresponding reference numerals. However, in addition to being adaptedfor mounting slides, the sampler device 100 is also adapted to mount apolymer scrim or pad 102. It has been discovered that a scrim or pad ofpolymer fibers makes an excellent substrate for collection plant andanimal samples from water. The water flows in and around the scrim, andthe plants and animals readily collect on or in the polymer fibers. Thescrim or pad can comprise polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, or othersuitable fiber.

To facilitate the mounting of the scrim or pad 102, it can be providedwith ribs 104 and 106 at the top and bottom edges, respectively. Theribs 104 and 106 are preferably segmented into two or more pieces 104aand 104b and 106a and 106b, respectively. This allows the scrim or padto be folded, so that it can be conveniently fit into a collection jaror bag after use.

There is preferably a groove 108 in the top 26 of the frame 24, and agroove 110 in the bottom 28 of the frame 24. The grooves 108 and 110 areadapted to receive the ribs 104 and 106 on the pad 102 to hold the pad102 stretched over the frame 24. The top of the frame has a recess orrelieved portion 112, and the bottom of the frame has a recess orrelieved portion 114, to accommodate the scrim or pad, providingsufficient clearance for the pad to pass between the frame and theguard.

The guard 38 is pivotally mounted to the frame 24, and is movablebetween a closed position and an open position, and when in the closedposition the upper and lower transverse members 44 and 46 overlap thegrooves 108 and 110, trapping the ribs 104 and 106 therein. The scrim orpad extends in the recesses 112 and 114. Thus, when the guard is in itsclosed position, the scrim or pad 102 is held in place on the frame 24.The frame 24 is open, and the upper and lower transverse members arespaced sufficiently so that water can flow freely through the samplerdevice. Thus water can flow freely through the scrim or pad 102, so thatplants and animals can deposit on the scrim or pad.

The sampler device 100 is adapted to be used as part of a samplerassembly 22'. The sampler assembly 22' comprises at least one of thesampler devices 20, a float 72 and a weight 74. A line 76 connects theweight 74 and the eye 60 at the bottom of the frame 24. A line 78connects the float 72 and the eye 58 at the top of the frame 24. Thelines 76 and 78 can be attached to their respective eyes 58 and 60 witha rope, a carabinier, a safety snap, or, as shown in the Figures, with aloop in the line secured with a ferrule. Thus the sampler device 100 isheld in a relatively constant vertical position in the water column,between the weight and the float. The position of the sampler device isdetermined by the length of the lines. Of course, if desired, more thanone sampler 100 could be positioned in the water column. In this case aline would connect the weight to the eye 60 at the bottom of the frameof the lowermost sampler device 100, another line would connect thefloat to the eye 58 of at the top of the uppermost sampler device 100,and additional lines would connected the upper and lower eyes ofadjacent sampler devices 100 so that each is held at a relativelyconstant vertical position in the water column. The weight can berelatively large, so that the position of the devices relative to thebottom is fixed. The weight can also be relatively small so that theposition of the devices relative to the surface is fixed, whilepermitting the device to rise and fall with the surface of the water.

Alternatively, the sampler devices 100 could be deployed in some othermanner, for example it is possible to suspend one sampler device 100, ora series of sampler devices 100, from a stationary anchoring point suchas a railing.

OPERATION

In operation, with the guard 38 of the sampler device 20 open, cleanglass slides 36 are installed in the slots 34 in the frame 24. When therequired number of slides have been installed, the guard 38 is pivotedto its closed position. The guard is secured in its closed position byattaching hitch pin 54 to the end of the post 50, which prevents theguard 38 from being lifted from its closed position. The eye 60 isconnected by a line 76 to the weight 74, and the eye 58 is connected bya line 78 to the float. The weight is then allowed to sink in the watercolumn, which holds the sampler device under water, at a preselectedlevel determined by the length of the line 76. The vanes 70 keep theframe oriented perpendicular to the flow of currents, so that waterflows freely through the frame between the slides.

After the sampler device 20 has been immersed for the desired amount oftime (typically about one to four weeks for a zebra mussel survey), thesampler device is removed from the water. The hitch pin 54 is removedfrom the post 50, the guard 38 is lifted, and the slides are removedfrom their slots, whereupon they can be examined. The sampler device canbe cleaned, if necessary, and it is ready for reuse.

In operation, with the guard 38 of the sampler device 100 open, a cleanscrim or pad 102 is mounted on the frame, with the ribs 104 and 106 inthe grooves 108 and 110. When the scrim or pad 102 is in place, theguard 38 is pivoted to its closed position. The guard is secured in itsclosed position by attaching hitch pin 54 to the end of the post 50,which prevents the guard 38 from being lifted from its closed position.The eye 60 is connected by a line 76 to the weight 74, and the eye 58 isconnected by a line 78 to the float. The weight is then allowed to sinkin the water column, which holds the sampler device under water, at apreselected level determined by the length of the line 76. The vanes 70keep the frame oriented perpendicular to the flow of currents, so thatwater flows freely through the frame and through the scrim or pad 102.

After the sampler device 100 has been immersed for the desired amount oftime (typically about 24-72 hours for a zebra mussel survey), thesampler device is removed from the water. The hitch pin 54 is removedfrom the post 50, the guard 38 is lifted, and the pad 102 is removed.Because of the segmented construction of the ribs 104 and 106, the pad102 can be folded and placed in a bag or jar for storage until it can beexamined. The sampler device 100 can be cleaned, if necessary, and it isready for reuse.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sampler device for supporting a polymer scrimor pad under water for the collection of plant and animal samples, thedevice comprising:a frame having a top member, a bottom member, and leftand right side members, the top and bottom members having a recesstherein for engaging the edges of the polymer scrim or pad; a guardpivotally mounted to the frame, and movable between a closed position,in which portions of the guard overlap the grooves in the top and bottommembers of the frame, thereby securing the scrim or pad in the frame,and an open position in which the guard does not overlap the grooves sothat scrim or pad can be inserted into and removed from the grooves;means for releasably locking the guard in its closed position; amounting bolt extending through the top and bottom of the frame, andattaching means associated with the bolt above and below the frame forsecuring the sampler device.
 2. The sampler device according to claim 1wherein the recess in the top and bottom members of the frame includes ahorizontally extending groove.
 3. The sampler device according to claim2 further comprising a polymer scrim or pad having an upper mounting ribgenerally adjacent the upper edge of the scrim or pad, and a lowermounting rib generally adjacent the lower edge of scrim or pad, thescrim or pad being mounted on the frame with the upper mounting ribreceived in the groove in the upper frame member, and the lower ribbeing received in the groove in the lower frame member.
 4. The samplerdevice according to claim 3 wherein the upper mounting rib and the lowermounting rib are segmented, to permit the scrim or pad to be foldedperpendicular to the ribs.
 5. The sampler device according to claim 1wherein the guard member comprises left and right side members,pivotally attached to the left and right sides of the frame, and upperand lower transverse members extending between the left and right sidemembers, the transverse members adapted to overlap the grooves when theguard is in the closed position.
 6. The sampler device according toclaim 1 wherein the means for locking the guard in its closed positioncomprises a post extending from the frame through an opening in theguard, and means attachable to the end of the post to prevent the guardfrom being removed from the post.
 7. The sampler device according toclaim 6 wherein a bracket is mounted between the sides of the frame, andwherein the vanes are mounted on the bracket.
 8. The sampler deviceaccording to claim 7 further comprising means on the sides of the frameto secure the bracket against rotation relative to the frame.
 9. Thesampler device according to claim 1 further comprising vanes extendingfrom the frame to keep the frame oriented generally perpendicular to theflow of the water in which it is immersed.
 10. A sampler assemblycomprising at least one of the sampler devices as set forth in claim 1,a weight, a float, and a first line connecting the float and theattaching means at the top of the frame, and a second line connectingthe weight and the attaching means at the bottom of the frame, so thatthe sampler device is held at a relatively constant level in the waterbetween the weight and the float.
 11. A sampler assembly comprising aplurality of the sampler devices as set forth in claim 1, a weight, afloat, and a line connecting the float and the attaching means at thetop of the frame of one of the sampler devices, a line connecting theweight and the attaching means at the bottom of another of the samplerdevices, and lines connecting the upper and lower attaching means of theother sampler devices so that each sampler device is held at a relativeconstant level in the water between the weight and the float.
 12. Asampler device adapted for supporting glass slides and/or a polymerscrim or pad under water for the collection of plant and animal samples,the device comprising:a frame having a top member, a bottom member, andleft and right side members, the top and bottom members having aplurality of vertically aligned slots therein for receiving and holdingthe edges of a plurality of glass slides, and further havinghorizontally extending groove therein for engaging the edges of thepolymer scrim or pad; a guard pivotally mounted to the frame, andmovable between a closed position, in which portions of the guardoverlap the ends of the slots in the top and bottom members of the frameto secure any slides in the slots, and in which portions of the guardalso overlap the grooves in the top and bottom members of the frame tosecure any scrim or pad mounted in the grooves in the frame, and an openposition in which the guard does not overlap the slots or the grooves sothat slides can be inserted into and removed from the slots and a scrimor pad can be inserted into and removed from the grooves; means forreleasably locking the guard in its closed position; a mounting boltextending through the top and bottom of the frame, and attaching meansassociated with the bolt above and below the frame for securing thesampler device.